THE TEMENGGONG CUSTOM OF THE MALACCA MALAY: THE CUSTOM OF HANDING OVER THE WEDDING AGREEMENT

INTRODUCTION

The Temenggong Custom is still practiced in matters related to Malay customs in Malaysia. It also acts as a guide or as a regulation in the community living in a village.

In matters pertaining to a wedding, it begins in sequence with the custom of enquiring, the custom of seeking the girl's hand in marriage, the engagement custom, the custom of handing the expenses of which is normally half of the total dowry, and the wedding custom. These customs are embedded in the Muslim Malay communities in Malaysia.

THE HANDING OVER OF THE WEDDING AGREEMENT CEREMONY

The handing over of the Wedding Agreement is done during the marriage solemnization ceremony. The groom's entourage arrives with the dowry and is received by the bride's side, after which the handing over of the agreement according to the  Temenggong Custom begins, which covers:

1. The Marriage Solemnisation Sermon

2. The Marriage Solemnisation

3. The Recital of the Marriage Vow

4. The handing over of responsibilities by the bride's father, and

5. The handing over of the dowry by the groom

This handing over of the agreement is handled by exchanging quatrains between both the groom's side and the bride's side from the beginning till the marriage solemnization ends.

In this ceremony, all the participants adorn the Custom Attire, which is the Malacca Malay traditional attire which is the baju Melayu for the men and baju kurung or baju kebaya for the ladies.